Abstract

Background

Chemoradiation is standard of care for treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Unplanned interruption during treatment has the chance of inducing tumour repopulation. Treatment breaks occur due to various reasons like treatment related side effects, poor nutrition and compliance. We prospectively analysed the role pre-RT haemoglobin and its influence on treatment breaks.

Methods

120 HNSCC (T3-T4a, N1-N2c) patients undergoing chemoradiation were prospectively evaluated for influence of Pre-RT haemoglobin on mucositis. Sub-sites included were oral cavity, ororphaynyx, hypopharnyx & laynyx. All patients received weekly inj.cisplatin 40 mg/m2) along with radiation to a total dose of 66Gy to PTV. All patients were evaluated weekly by clinical examination for grade of dermatitis, dysphagia, mucositis and hemogram.

Results

Our population was characterized by a mean age of 55±10.7 years (range: 27-69), 85 were males and 35 females with a performance status of ECOG 1-2. All patients were in locally advanced disease stage III –IV. The mean pre-RT haemoglobin was calculated (using ROC) as 10.3 g/dl. Among 120 patients 58 had treatment breaks ≥five days (of which 6 were >10.3g/dl and 52 were 10.3g/dl and only 2 were